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Historical Potpourri: Feed an appetite for history at the library

Polly E. Chavez, Guest columnist
Published 8:21 a.m. MT March 8, 2017

Capitan Public Library has a backyard that includes a flower garden. Debra Myers, volunteer from Alto, was instrumental in planting the garden. Karen Pritchett donated the whimsical bench. When the weather warms up this bench will be a favorite spot to sit and read.(Photo: Courtesy/Polly E. Chavez)

Weather kept me away from Marlene Siepel’s program at Capitan Public Library (CPL). Siepel spoke of an idea that grew into a five-year display of historical quilts and into an actual book. I later traveled to Capitan to visit CPL and checked out her book, “Ladies of the Boot Heel – Their Stories with Their Quilts.”

The Hildalgo County Heritage Quilt Show Committee produced the book.

Seipel, now from Alto, was the library director at Lordsburg Hildalgo Library in 2007. She thought that the idea for a quilt show in a library would show women’s contribution to the settling and homesteading of Hildalgo County.

From a few books on a residential porch to a full-service public library today... that is the history of CPL.

A dedicated group of volunteers keep this non-profit library active. It has become a vital, growing resource, serving not only Capitan but also many areas of Lincoln County.

In 1996 Judy Newman and a group of people began a mini library on Newman’s front porch at her residence on 2nd Street. In 1998 a building on Lincoln Avenue was turned into a regular library.

CPL acquired the present building in 2000. Built in 1924, it originally served as a Nazarene Church. Prior to CPL use it was a private residence.

Pat Garrett, library director, joined in the library effort in 1998, beginning as a four-hour volunteer and later also serving on the board.

The library is governed by a seven-member board of directors and is staffed entirely by volunteers, who number between 25 and 30 people. The board consists of Bill Jeffery (president), Kris Shearer (secretary), Sadie Mann (treasurer), Ronnie Sanchez, Gene Chewning, Sue Burke and Debbie Myers, who also serves as assistant director.

Stop at the library sometime to register and to get a card. They provide physical or digital access to material. Adult and children readers will enjoy browsing through the large areas of books, magazines, audiobooks and more. They have a discount book area. There are public computers with free Internet, as well as free Wifi. They have a book club, First Friday Lecture Series, an after school program and a summer reading program.

If you are in Capitan after library hours, a book drop for books checked out and due, is located in front of the library. While you are in Capitan visit the Not 2 Shabby Shop, the library’s resale shop across the street from the library, where you will find economic shopping.